JP2005050332A - Automatic correction of machine-readable code during image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the scanning and printing of a machine-readable code in a document for replacing an original code. <P>SOLUTION: This application discloses a method and a device for automatically scanning and/or rewriting a machine-readable code (MRC) in a document. In one embodiment, the method includes: a step for acquiring an original machine-readable code (MRC) at a certain position of the document; and a step for generating a new MRC based on the original MRC. The new MRC represents the same data as the data of the original MRC. The method includes a step for replacing, in a document of an electronic version, the original MRC with the new MRC substantially at the same position as that of the original MRC in the document. Next, the document of the electronic version can be stored and/or printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the field of machine-readable code. More particularly, the present invention relates to scanning and reprinting of machine readable code in a document to replace the original code.

  Bar codes have been used for many years in commercial settings. Bar codes are printed on many different types of media and represent information in encoded form. Once printed, these barcodes may be scanned using a barcode scanner, which reads the barcode to decode the information encoded in the barcode. The prior art includes many examples of printing machines capable of printing barcodes and many examples of barcode scanners.

  Often, documents having one or more barcodes may be copied or transferred between different people and locations. During copying and transferring, the barcode status degrades over time and eventually becomes unreadable by the barcode reader.

  Typical wear includes marks on light areas of the code or scratch, which removes dark areas from the code. Stray pen marks or glymes can change the appearance of the code as well as toner or paint stripping. When the printed output is crumpled or folded, the printed code is distorted.

  Copying can degrade barcode quality. For example, when a code is copied, the contrast of the new copy can be lower than the contrast of the original code. Bar codes transferred through a fax machine may not lose contrast, but if the line of code is not accurately aligned with the movement of the paper through the scanner, aliasing occurs along the edge of the code, A staircase pattern is produced at a position where a smooth line was previously present.

  Most one- or two-dimensional barcodes are based on dark and light bars of a given width or multiples of a given width. For example, UPC codes used in retail organizations are formed from a series of bars and spaces that are 1, 2, 3 or 4 units wide. The line width of one unit width is small in the “x-width” of the code, but if it is not exactly the size of the pixel unit width to be printed, the code line boundary is included between the printed pixels. Instead of a transition where one pixel is black and the next pixel is white, a gray pixel is printed between the black pixel and the white pixel. The transition between dark and light areas is weak. Bar codes are usually read by measuring the distance between dark and light areas, and weak transitions reduce code readability.

  Furthermore, most printers have a certain amount of “smudge” corresponding to the printing process. For example, when printing a line of ink on a page with an inkjet printer, the ink oozes into the page and the line printed with a predetermined width (t) eventually widens and is slightly thicker than the printed thickness. (T + Δt). If this spread (Δt) is close to ½ of the x-width, it is difficult, if not impossible, to read the printed code after it has been printed and the ink has spread.

  In the present invention, a method and apparatus for automatically scanning and / or cleaning up a machine readable code (MRC) of a document is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes capturing an original machine readable code (MRC) at a location in a document, and generating a new MRC based on the original MRC. The MRC expresses the same data as that of the original MRC. The exemplary method also includes replacing the original MRC with a new MRC. The new MRC is placed at substantially the same location as the original MRC with respect to the content of the document.

  Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. The present invention is not limited in the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example, wherein the same reference numerals indicate similar components.

  An image processing apparatus for processing a machine readable code (MRC) is described. In one embodiment, a scanner that may be incorporated as part of an image processing device such as a copier, fax machine, scanner, or camera can place and decode an MRC such as a barcode. In one embodiment, the scanner replaces only the sub-image containing the MRC in the document image (typically a rectangle) with a new, clean MRC image. The document image with the new MRC may then be stored and / or printed. When the document image is printed, the new MRC is easier to read than the original MRC. As a result, the MRC passing through an image processing apparatus having these techniques does not degrade in quality over time. The term “document” includes one or more pages.

  In one embodiment, after the exemplary image processing device receives a document having one or more MRCs, such as a barcode, the image processing device searches each received MRC in the received document to determine the MRC. Position. Once the MRC is positioned, the image processing device scans and decodes the MRC, and optionally stores the scanned MRC in memory for future reference. Next, the image processing apparatus generates a new MRC based on the original MRC, and in this case, the new MRC represents the data of the original MRC. An image processing apparatus may incorporate a new MRC into a document image representing a document. A new document image may then be stored. As part of printing a document on a medium, the image processing apparatus may print a new MRC that is substantially in the same position as the original MRC of the document. The new MRC has a higher print quality (eg, edge sharpness and contrast) than the original MRC with respect to the document background.

  The image processing apparatus may be realized as a copier, a scanner, a fax machine, a camera, or the like. In addition, the image processing device can connect the device to the network to perform at least one of the previous operations in response to a request received from a remote client over the network (eg, the Internet). May be realized as a peripheral device having a simple server. For example, the image processing peripheral device may be a printer server connected to a network.

[Improvement of MRC quality]
There are many ways to improve MRC in digital images. Standards for printing machine readable codes include at least the dark and light area sizes, the print contrast, the overall code size, and the guard (or blank) area around the barcode. Most of these standards are to make sure that barcodes are still readable, even with normal barcode quality degradation (copy, wear).

  Among the enhancements to barcodes described in this embodiment are code rewrite, contrast enhancement, guard data erasure, edge alignment to pixel boundaries through code scaling and rotation, and compensation for ink bleed. Contains. Each of these enhancements may be appropriate in different situations.

  In one embodiment, the image processing device may generate a guard area (eg, a quiet area) of contrast density around the new MRC to improve detection and readability. The guard area is designed to allow new MRCs to be read more easily (eg, with higher contrast). The guard area is forced by the scanner / copier to remove noise or dark pixels in a predetermined area around the MRC.

  Further, in one embodiment, the new MRC may be aligned with a direction (eg, horizontal or vertical) with respect to other content of the document. Further, the image processing apparatus may further adjust the contrast of the new MRC to further expand the print quality of the new MRC.

  For example, a barcode is most easily read when the barcode has a clear transition between light and dark areas. These transitions are sharpest when barcodes are printed at pixel boundaries. Bar codes scanned by an image processing device such as a copier may not be properly aligned to maintain transitions along pixel boundaries. The bar code may be distorted by 1 or 2 degrees. In one embodiment, the region of the image that contains the barcode is aligned with the pixels in the image without being distorted and replaced with a region of the image that fits in substantially the same region as the original barcode. Thus, barcodes may be printed with higher contrast transitions and may be more readable in more situations. Further, if the scanned image has low contrast, the barcode may have a low readable level with respect to the print output. In one embodiment, the barcode may be replaced with the highest possible contrast, which facilitates future barcode reading. Furthermore, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) text may be rewritten instead of copying the original OCR text.

  In one embodiment, the image processing device may be trained to recognize a document having a predetermined format, and such training information may be stored in a memory. Subsequently, when the document is received for processing, the image processing device may recognize the format of the document based on training information stored in memory. In response to recognition of the format of the received document, the image processing device may automatically perform at least one of the previous operations to improve the quality of the MRC in the document.

  According to yet another embodiment, if the scanned MRC has a missing information (eg, a distorted barcode from a twisted page), the system can extract any available information. The obtained information may be used to decode the MRC and reconstruct a substantially complete MRC using redundancy information or other information available from the original MRC. As a result, the missing MRC can be repaired by the system.

  In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid ambiguity of the present invention.

  Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those having ordinary skill in the data processing field, and most of the results are most effectively delivered to those having other ordinary skill in the field. Communicated. The algorithm here is generally considered to be a self-contained processing sequence that leads to the desired result. The process is a process that requires a physical operation related to a physical quantity. Usually, though not necessary, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

  It should be remembered that all these terms and similar terms are associated with appropriate physical quantities and are convenient labels attached to these quantities. Throughout the description, explanations utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying”, etc., unless otherwise stated, as will be apparent from the following description, are computer systems Or the operation and processing of a similar electronic computing device, the computer system or similar electronic computing device being represented by physical (electrical) quantities in registers and memory in the computer system. Data to be converted into other data that is also represented as a physical quantity in a memory or register of a computer system or other such information storage, transfer or display device.

  The present invention also relates to an apparatus for executing the operation in the present embodiment. The apparatus may be specially configured for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such computer programs include, but are not limited to, floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, and magneto-optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and erasable. Like any type of disk, programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), magnetic or optical card, any type of medium suitable for storing electrical instructions Stored on various computer-readable storage media, each medium connected to a computer system bus.

  The algorithms and displays provided in this embodiment are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. A program according to the teachings of this embodiment and various general-purpose systems may be used, or it may prove convenient to construct a more dedicated device for executing the required processing steps. is there. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any programming language. It should be understood that various programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention described in this embodiment.

  A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transferring information in a form readable by a machine (eg, a computer). For example, machine readable media may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, electrical / optical / acoustic or other formats Signal (eg, carrier wave, infrared signal, digital signal, etc.).

[Overview]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an image processing system according to an exemplary embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 receives an original document 101 having an original machine-readable code 104 such as a barcode, and a new document 103 is stored or printed by the image processing system 102. When included, it includes an image processing system 102 that generates a new machine readable code (MRC) 105 at substantially the same location as the original MRC 104. The image processing system 102 includes a machine readable code rewriter, such as the rewriter that is part of the multifunction peripheral 400 shown in FIG. 4 to scan the original MRC 104 from the original document 101. There is. The image processing system 102 may be a copier, scanner, fax machine, camera, printer server, or other image forming or capturing device or system.

  In one embodiment, after the image processing system 102 receives a document 101 having an MRC 104 such as a barcode, the image processing system 102 searches and positions the MRC 104 on the received document 101. In one embodiment, document 101 may be an image scanned from a physical document received from a feeder of system 102 by a user. Alternatively, the document 101 may be received electronically (e.g., email file, PDF file, JPEG), particularly via a communication interface (wired or wireless) of the system, for example through a network such as the Internet. Files, word documents, etc.). The positioning of the MRC 104 may be performed by looking for a series of rectangles with alternating light and dark areas, as is known in the art. Software for positioning the MRC in the image is available from LEAD Technology, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

  Once the MRC is positioned, the image processing system 102 scans and decodes the MRC 104 and optionally stores the scanned MRC in memory for future reference. Next, the image processing system 102 generates a new MRC 105 based on the original MRC 104. In this case, the new MRC 105 represents the data of the original MRC 104. The image processing system 102 may store or print a new MRC 105 in the document 103 as part of printing the document 103 on media, at substantially the same location with respect to other contents of the document.

  The document 103 may be printed directly on a physical medium such as a piece of paper. In one embodiment, the new MRC 105 has a higher print quality than the original MRC 104 with respect to the document background. Alternatively, the document 103 may be stored as an electronic image or file that can be transferred to a third party over a network. Further, the document 103 may be transferred to a remote printer such as a printer server through a network, and the document 103 may be printed by a new MRC 105.

  In one embodiment, the image processing system 102 generates a guard area around the new MRC 105, such as the guard area 206 of FIG. 2C or the guard area 304 of FIG. 3B. The guard area is a bright or white rectangle that allows the new MRC to be read or recognized more clearly and easily.

  Further, in one embodiment, the new MRC 105 is aligned in the captured document image such that the transition between dark and light areas occurs at pixel boundaries. In one embodiment, the x-width of the MRC 105 may be adjusted. Further, in an alternative embodiment, the image processing system 102 adjusts the contrast of the new MRC 105 so that the print quality of the new MRC 105 is further improved. In order to further enhance the print quality of the new MRC 105, new MRC 105 lines may be printed such that each barcode line or space corresponds to a column of one or an integer number of pixels. That is, the x-width of the new MRC 105 may be printed at pixel boundaries, and each line of the new MRC 105 corresponds to a single pixel width or an integer multiple of the pixel width size. Yes. This is illustrated in FIG.

  The technique described in this embodiment can be applied to an OCR character instead of a barcode. OCR characters have a predetermined standard indicating their size and the like for optimum reading performance. If an OCR character is found and decoded, rewrite using standard OCR fonts such as OCR-A-font (ANSI x3.17-1981) and OCR-B font (ANSI x3.49-1982) be able to.

  In one embodiment, the image processing system 102 may be trained to recognize a document having a predetermined format, and such trained information may be stored in memory. Subsequently, when the document is received, the image processing system 102 may recognize the format of the document based on the training information stored in the memory. In response to recognizing the format of the received document, the image processing system 102 may automatically perform the MRC reprint described above to improve the quality of the MRC in the document.

  For example, a business or medical office may use a series of forms in their daily work tasks, and these forms have a standard two-dimensional barcode (eg, PDF417) in the upper left corner of each form. May contain. In one embodiment, if a copier or multi-dimensional peripheral device (MFP) is trained to find all pages with a PDF417 barcode in the upper left corner and there is a page with the barcode, the lower left corner Rewrite those barcodes, ignoring all other forms, including pages with one-dimensional barcodes.

  Training consists of supplying examples of each type of form to the copier and indicating to the copier that pages with this “signature” should always be rewritten. This sign is determined by looking at the page image, finding all barcodes, determining what type of code is being used, and noting the barcode location on the page. There is a case.

In one embodiment, the signature includes the following for each page:
Page size (inches or pixels)
List of barcodes found on the page-Code type (PDF417, code 128, data matrix, etc.)
-Orientation-Location signatures are stored in a simple database of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) (scanner / printer / copier combination). In one embodiment, each time a page is scanned by the copier, the copier looks for a barcode in the scanned image and generates a signature for the page. The copier then compares the signature of the page with the signature stored in the database. If the signature is the same (within the tolerance due to the movement of the page through the scanner hardware), the bar code is rewritten before the copy is printed.

  The number of barcodes in the scanned page is the same as the number in the stored page signature, and for each barcode, within the maximum number of pixels for the barcode center in the stored signature The scanned page signature is equal to the stored page signature if the matched barcode type and barcode direction in the scanned page are the same as the stored page signature it is conceivable that.

  In one embodiment, the image processing system 102 may further include a display and a user interface to allow the user to interact with the image processing system 102. The user interface may simply be a physical button or switch on the system panel. Alternatively, the user interface may be a graphical button displayed on the display, which may be activated through a mouse click or a touch via a display touch screen. For example, according to one embodiment, the image processing system 102 may examine an original MRC, such as the MRC 104, to determine if the state of the original MRC is degraded. If it is determined that the state of the original MRC has deteriorated, the image processing system 102 instructs the user to display and input a prompt via the display, and the user replaces the original MRC and newly inputs the new MRC. Determine whether you want to reprint a new MRC, such as a new MRC 105. The user may respond through the user interface to interact with the image processing system 102 or whether a new MRC is needed. If a new MRC is needed, a new MRC is generated and printed on behalf of the original MRC via one of the techniques described above. Otherwise, the original MRC is copied and reprinted on the media.

  Rewriting barcodes to a document changes the appearance of the document. For example, if a user provides a low contrast text document containing several barcodes to a multifunction peripheral (scanner / printer / copier combination) and the barcode is rewritten, the barcode When printed with high contrast and sharper edges, the bar code stands out from the page. If the barcode is not important for the page, the user may want to have only a normal copy without barcode rewriting.

  It is also possible to supply two different buttons to a copier, MFP, or other device described in this embodiment, one button for copying with bar code rewrite and another button Is to perform normal copying. Alternatively, in the previously described embodiment, the pattern in the barcode style is recognized, and the determination regarding whether to rewrite the position on the page, the signature of the page, and the barcode is whether the signature is recognized. Based on crab.

  The image processing system 102 may be a peripheral device having a server that can be directly connected to a network such as the Internet. The previously described display and user interface may be provided on a web page accessible through the Internet. A user responds to any login to his / her account through the network, for example through various protocols such as hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), extended markup language (XML), or other suitable communication protocols. Instruct system 102 to process the MRC using one of the techniques described above.

  2A-2C are diagrams illustrating exemplary embodiments relating to a process for processing MRC. According to one embodiment, a document 201 having an MRC 202 that may be a barcode is received by the image processing system 102. The user may receive the document 201 from the feeder of the system 102, or alternatively may be received from the communication interface over a network, or the document 201 may be received via a photographic process. As shown in FIG. 2A, the quality of the MRC 202 of the document 201 decreases with time. In response, the image processing system 102 may process the MRC 202 using at least one of the above-described techniques for generating a new MRC 202 to be printed on the output document or image 203. The new MRC 204 may have better quality than the original MRC 202, such as brightness and contrast.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the new MRC 204 is placed at the position of the original MRC 202 with a guard area 206 around the MRC. As a result, the new MRC 204 can be more accurately read and recognized by the guard area 206, which is white in one embodiment. Further, the x-width of the new MRC 204 may be adjusted so that each barcode line or space can correspond to a column of pixels that is one or an integer multiple. This further improves the print quality of the new MRC 204.

  Most barcodes have error correction information that allows the original data to be calculated from the remaining readable elements if the barcode is slightly corrupted and the element or data is unreadable. Contains. According to yet another embodiment, if the original MRC 202 has missing information (eg, a distorted barcode from a folded page), the system can decode the original MRC 202 to provide any available information. Is also used to reconstruct the complete MRC 204 using, for example, the redundancy information available from the original MRC using the obtained information. That is, in this case, if the corrupted data is detected and can be repaired, the newly printed barcode will contain the original data instead of the corrupted data. As a result, an MRC with reduced original quality can be repaired by the system.

  3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a process for processing an MRC. Similar to the process described by FIGS. 2A and 2C, an original document 301 having an MRC 303 is received and processed by the image processing system 102. When the output document 302 is printed, a new MRC 305 is generated with a guard area 304 around the new MRC 305 based on the original MRC 303, and the new MRC 305 is arranged at substantially the same position as the original MRC 303. . The background of the guard area 306 may be designed to allow the new MRC 305 to be read and recognized more easily than the original background 306. The guard area 306 may force the system to remove noise and dark pixels within a predetermined area around the new MRC 305.

  Further, the new MRC 305 may be adjusted and printed according to pixel boundaries when the document 302 is printed. FIG. 3C is an expanded version of an exemplary new MRC 305. With reference to FIG. 3C, an exemplary MRC 305 includes one or more elements such as lines 307, 308, and 309. In one embodiment, the MRC 305's x-width (eg, horizontal) is adjusted to allow each bar code line or space to correspond to a column of one or an integer multiple of pixels. There is. That is, each transition between black and white in MRC 305 (eg, lines 307-309) may be printed at pixel boundaries, and each line in MRC 305 corresponds to the width of one or more pixels. Has a width.

  For example, referring to FIG. 3C, when MRC 305 is printed, lines 307-309 may be printed aligned with the pixels of the medium being printed. The white area between lines 307 and 309 is also referred to as “space”. For fax machines or inkjet printers, individual dots are usually printed at a resolution based on the hardware, sometimes 200, 600 or 1200 dots / inch. The dots are laid out in a rectangular grid that is aligned with the direction of media movement past the printer. When the barcode is aligned with the grid and the barcode is scaled so that the transition between the line and the white area corresponds exactly to the pixel or dot boundary, a high contrast print is produced. Transitions between lines and spaces are easy to detect when lines and spaces correspond directly to individual pixels. When a line / space transition occurs in the middle of a pixel, a gray pixel is printed, making the transition more difficult to detect and measure. According to a further embodiment, the system may be able to adjust the scale or side of the barcode so that the transition between the MRC bars and spaces occurs at the pixel boundaries.

[Multifunctional peripheral devices]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MFP that reads a machine readable code (MRC) such as a barcode, stores the MRC, and / or prints the MRC on some form of print media. is there. Such an apparatus may be part of a copier or multifunction machine. The device may be resized for handheld use or more extensive use (portable or non-portable).

  Referring to FIG. 4, MFP 400 includes a scanner / bar code reader 409. In one embodiment, the scanner / barcode reader 409 operates based on scanning light, such as a CCD or laser, that scans through the barcode and whose reflected light is read by a sensor (captures an image of the barcode). In one embodiment, the barcode reader / scanner comprises a CCD optical module from Hkane, Skaneateles, New York. These are non-contact scanners such as those found in retail sales institutions. Alternatively, the barcode reader portion of the printer / scanner 401 may be a contact scanner such as a barcode pen. In one embodiment, MFP 400 includes a “scan” switch that, when activated, causes barcode scanner 409 to read the barcode.

  In one embodiment, the memory 402 is connected to the scanner 409 for storing the read barcode. The controller 403 is connected to the scanner 409 and the memory 402, and controls the operation of the apparatus. The controller 403 includes one or more processors such as, but not limited to, a StrongArm or x86 processor from Intel, Santa Clara, California, a DragonBall processor from Motorola, Schaumburg, Illinois, and the like. There may be.

  In addition, the MFP 400 may include a print mechanism 404 that prints a document including a barcode. In one embodiment, the printer head includes Ink Jet Technology 641 D2 from Inkjet Technology, Inc., San Jose, California.

  In one embodiment, MFP 400 operates as follows. When the MFP 400 scans the page, the readable barcode is checked. If a readable barcode is detected, the barcode is decoded and a new barcode is generated, replacing the original barcode as described above.

  The MFP 400 may optionally include a communication module 406 that is connected to and controlled by the controller 403 for communication with an external device. The communication module 406 may comprise a network, telephone, wired, wireless or other known communication application. Such an external device may be a computer system and / or a database. Such a connection may be useful for obtaining information or transmitting information (eg, in connection with a scanned barcode).

  MFP 400 optionally includes a display 408 for displaying scanned barcodes and / or other information (eg, LCD displays such as those used in cellular telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs)). There is. Other information may include information acquired from the memory 402, and may include information acquired from an external location via the optical communication module 406. User interface 407 may include buttons, switches, indicator lights, and any other user interface client.

  It will be appreciated that the MFP 400 may be implemented as part of the image processing system 102. For example, a bar code rewriter may be incorporated into a copier, scanner, printer, fax machine, camera, or other imaging or capture device. Alternatively, MFP 400 may be a stand-alone device that is communicatively wired or wirelessly connected to one of the devices or services described above. Other configurations apparent to those skilled in the art may be realized.

  The most popular method for exchanging information is electronic fax. According to electronic fax, a fax received at a fax machine is sent electronically to the recipient via email, but may not be printed immediately. In one embodiment, the fax machine may include hardware and / or software that implements the techniques described in this embodiment. If such a fax machine is used before the received document is printed, the image on each page may be checked for an existing barcode. If a barcode is found, the barcode is decoded. The data from the barcode is then recoded with a size that fits within the rectangle containing the original barcode. If the fax machine supports several gray or color levels, a new bar code is generated with the highest available contrast. How each bar code replaces the original bar code while being aligned with the pixels of the scanned page so that the transition along the bar of the bar code is aligned with the printhead when printed Is added to the image of the received page. In one embodiment, new bar code information is written in alignment with the scanned image pixels, even if it is not printed out. This ensures that the printed output will be of the highest possible quality when printed. If the printing process bleeds after printing, the bar code bar can be printed slightly smaller than normal, taking into account ink bleed so that the final printed product is accurate.

  In many cases, the barcode may not be printed immediately and the barcode may only be inserted into the image, as in an image taken with a camera. For example, in another embodiment, a digital camera may be used to take a picture of an object with a barcode in the picture. The teachings described in this embodiment may be used to rewrite part of an image taken by a digital camera.

[Example Data Processing System]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system that may be used in an embodiment. For example, the system 500 shown in FIG. 5 may be implemented as the image processing system 102 of FIG. Note that while FIG. 5 illustrates the various components of a computer system, it is not intended to represent the way in which the present invention interconnects any particular architecture or components. This is because such details are not closely related to the present invention. Also, network computers, handheld computers, cellular telephones, and other data processing systems having fewer or possibly even more components may be used with the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a computer system 500 that is a configuration of a data processing system includes a microprocessor 503, a ROM (read only memory) 507, a volatile memory (random access memory) 505, and a nonvolatile memory 506. A bus 502 to be connected is included. A microprocessor 503, which may be an Intel Pentium (registered trademark) processor, is connected to the cache memory 504 as shown in the example of FIG. Bus 502 interconnects these various components with each other, and interconnects these components 503, 507, 505 and 506 with display controller and display device 508, and input / output (I / O) device 510. Connecting. This input / output device may be a mouse, keyboard, modem, network interface, printer, and other devices known in the art. Typically, input / output device 510 is connected to the system through input / output controller 509. In one embodiment, I / O device 510 includes a printer for printing documents. Volatile RAM 505 is implemented as dynamic RAM (DRAM), which requires continuous power to refresh or hold memory data. Non-volatile memory 506 is typically a magnetic hard drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, or DVD RAM, or other type of memory system that retains data even after power is removed from the system. . Typically, non-volatile memory is random access memory, but this is not required. Although FIG. 5 illustrates that the non-volatile memory is a local device that is directly connected to other components in the data processing system, the present invention can be implemented through a network interface, such as a modem or Ethernet interface. It should be understood that non-volatile memory that is remote from the system may be utilized, such as a network storage device connected to the data processing system. Bus 502 may include one or more buses that are connected to each other through various bridges, controllers, and / or adapters known in the art. In one embodiment, the I / O controller 509 includes a USB adapter for controlling peripheral devices of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

  Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the system 500 is an image processing device connected to an IO controller 509 or bus 502 that can not only perform processing, but also read documents into the computer system for processing. 511 is included. The computer system 500 may further include a machine readable code (MRC) rewriter 512, such as the MFP 400 of FIG. 4, that rewrites the original barcode to the electronic version of the document. Rewrite with barcode. Image processing device 511 and MRC rewriter 512 may be implemented as peripheral devices for performing at least one of the above-described processes for processing MRC.

[Example Flowchart]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to an exemplary embodiment for processing machine readable code (MRC). The example process 600 is performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.) hardware, software (such as is run on a general purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both. There is. In one embodiment, the exemplary process 600 captures an original machine readable code (MRC) at a location in a document, and encodes the same data as the original MRC data. Generating an MRC based on the original MRC and / or printing the new MRC on the media as part of printing the document on the media. The new MRC is placed in the document at substantially the same location as the original MRC with respect to the other contents of the document.

  Referring to FIG. 6, at processing block 601, a document or representation having a machine readable code (MRC) such as a barcode is received. In one embodiment, the received document is an image scanned based on a physical document inserted via an input (eg, a feeder) of an image processing system such as a copier or scanner. Alternatively, documents such as electronic files, PDF files, JPEG files, or word processing document files may be received electronically through being captured as a network or photograph. At processing block 602, the location of the MRC is determined in the received document. At processing block 603, the MRC is scanned and decoded and optionally stored in memory.

  At processing block 604, the size of the original MRC is calculated, and at processing block 605 a new MRC is generated based on the original MRC. The new MRC has the same characteristics as the original MRC and may have substantially the same size as the original MRC.

  In one embodiment, processing logic determines whether a new MRC should be generated based on user input or page signature (processing block 606).

  At process block 607, the new MRC may optionally be aligned in the horizontal or vertical direction and may be aligned with the pixel grid (most likely not aligned with the content). At processing block 608, the new MRC is placed at the position occupied by the original MRC in the new guard area. The guard area has a background that improves the contrast and / or brightness between the guard area and the new MRC when the new MRC is surrounded by or over the guard area Designed. The new MRC may optionally take into account print blur. Other operations apparent to those skilled in the art may be included.

  Thus, a method and apparatus for processing MRC has been disclosed. In the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent that various modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the embodiments and the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment for an image processing system having a machine readable code replicator. FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process for processing machine readable code. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process for processing machine readable code. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process for processing machine readable code. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process for processing machine readable code. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process for processing machine readable code. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process for processing machine readable code. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a multifunction peripheral device (MFP). FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a data processing system. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a process for processing machine readable code. It is a figure explaining each barcode line or space corresponding to one or the integrated number of pixel columns.

Explanation of symbols

500 Computer system 502 Bus 503 Microprocessor 504 Cache 505 Volatile memory (RAM)
506 Non-volatile memory 507 ROM
508 Display controller and display device 509 I / O controller 510 I / O device 511 Image processing device 512 Machine-readable code reader / writer

Claims (30)

Capturing an original machine readable code (MRC) at a document location;
Generating a new MRC representing the same data as the data of the original MRC based on the original MRC;
Replacing the original MRC with the new MRC;
The new MRC is placed in substantially the same position as the original MRC with respect to other contents of the document. Printing the document along with the new MRC on media;
The method of claim 1. Scanning the document;
Positioning the original MRC within the scanned document;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: Recognizing the original MRC of the document;
Determining the position of the MRC with respect to the content of the document;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: Further comprising determining the size of the position occupied by the original MRC;
The new MRC is generated having a size that is substantially the same as the size of the original MRC.
The method of claim 1. Prior to the printing, further comprising aligning the direction of the pixels contained in the image with the new MRC.
The method of claim 1. Further comprising aligning the new MRC with respect to pixel boundaries in the document;
The method of claim 1. Further comprising the step of verifying that the guard area of the MRC is a transparent or non-uniform color;
The method of claim 1. Determining whether the original MRC has sufficient quality;
Instructing to prompt and enter whether the original MRC needs to be replaced if it is determined that the original MRC is not of sufficient quality;
The new MRC is generated and printed in response to received input.
The method of claim 1. The sufficient quality is based on at least one of contrast, orientation, and detected read error, and image noise.
The method of claim 9. Further comprising the step of recognizing the signature of the document,
The step of generating and printing the new MRC is performed automatically when the format of the document is recognized.
The method of claim 1. The original MRC is a barcode.
The method of claim 1. The original MRC is OCR text.
The method of claim 1. An MRC reader that reads a first machine readable code (MRC) from a document location;
A controller connected to the MRC reader to generate a second MRC representing the same data as the data of the first MRC based on the first MRC;
The controller is an apparatus that integrates the second MRC into an electronic version of the document at substantially the same location as the first MRC with respect to other contents of the document. A scanner for scanning the document;
The apparatus of claim 14. The controller causes the MRC reader to recognize the first MRC and determine the position of the first MRC;
The apparatus of claim 14. The controller determines the size of the position occupied by the first MRC;
The second MRC is generated having substantially the same size as the first MRC;
The apparatus of claim 14. The controller further aligns the direction of the pixel representing the document with the second MRC.
The apparatus of claim 14. The controller further verifies that the guard area of the MRC is a transparent or even color on the media.
The apparatus of claim 14. A user interface connected to the controller;
The controller determines whether the first MRC read by the MRC reader has sufficient quality, and determines that the first MRC does not have sufficient quality. Through the user interface to further prompt and enter whether the MRC needs to be replaced,
The second MRC is generated and printed in response to input received via the user interface.
The apparatus of claim 14. The sufficient quality is based on at least one of contrast, direction, image noise and detected read error.
The apparatus of claim 20. A scanner connected to the controller for receiving and recognizing a document signature;
The controller automatically generates the second MRC and causes the printer to print the second MRC on a medium when the signature of the document is recognized.
The apparatus of claim 14. The controller is operable in a training mode to allow the scanner to recognize and store page signatures.
The apparatus of claim 22. The first MRC is a barcode;
The apparatus of claim 14. The first MRC is OCR text;
The apparatus of claim 14. A communication interface connectable to the network for receiving and transmitting the document through the network;
The apparatus of claim 14. Further comprising a server that is directly connectable to a network and that performs a predetermined operation in response to one or more requests received through the network;
The apparatus of claim 14. Capturing an original machine readable code (MRC) at a document location;
Generating a new MRC representing the same data as the data of the original MRC based on the original MRC;
Replacing the original MRC with the new MRC;
The new MRC is located at substantially the same location as the original MRC with respect to the other contents of the document.
A machine readable medium having executable code for causing a machine to execute the method. Locating and scanning a first machine readable code (MRC) at a document location;
Recognizing the signature of the page of the document;
Automatically generating a second MRC based on the first MRC;
Replacing the original MRC with the new MRC;
The new MRC is placed in substantially the same position as the original MRC with respect to other contents of the document. Locating and scanning a first machine readable code (MRC) at a document location;
Generating a second MRC based on the first MRC;
Placing the second MRC with a guard area at substantially the same location as the first MRC with respect to other content of the document;
The guard area causes the second MRC to be read more easily than the first MRC when the document having the second MRC is printed.

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